21 English Premier League players set for AFCON

The English Premier League is set to lose key players at the pivotal stage of the season as twenty one Africans are expected to play at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

The 21 players are expected to be named in their countries squad for the tournament to be held in South Africa from January thanks to their performances.

According to FIFA laws, clubs must release their players two weeks before the start of the African Cup of Nations which clashes with the English football calendar.

The potential for disruption in England is higher not only in the English top-flight, but also in the Championship and even down to League Two.

Premier League Title contenders like Manchester City, Arsenal, Newcastle and Aston Villa will lose players while strugglers West Brom, Wigan and QPR could all lose key players.

Man City hopes of retaining the title will be severely hit as they have cope without the Toure brothers, Kolo and Yaya while Arsenal could be without four players including Ivorian Gervinho, who has scored five goals so far this season.

The absence of the Ivorian and the three other Africans will come at the time of matches against Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool.